[With alarmed astonishment.]
And there! Woe's me, this is the house of wealth,
Deluded, foolish eyes, look here and here!
[She rouses her memory feverishly.]
And that old man was fain with strings of pearls
To bind my arms and hands—why, they are rich!
And "poor" was every second word he uttered.
He lied then, lied not once but many times!
I saw him smiling when he lied, I feel it,
It chokes me here!
[She tries to calm herself.]
Oh, if he lied—but there are certain things
That can constrain a spirit. And his father
I have done much for my old father's sake—
His father this? That chokes me more than ever.
Inglorious heart, he comes, and something, something
Will be revealed, all this I then shall grasp,
I then shall grasp—
[She hears steps, looks about her wildly, then
cries in fear.]
Come, leave me not alone!
[Gülistane and an old serving-woman come
down the stairs and go to the presents by
the table.]
Sobeide (starting).
Ganem, is it not thou?